Overcoming Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Choosing what is right for you: Substance Abuse Treatment, Recovery, and Help

Struggling with substance addiction can make one feel like sobriety is an impossible goal. Recovery is a possibility, no matter how hopeless the situation may feel, recovery is a possibility. Don’t give up, even if you have made previous attempts to address the addiction. With the right treatment, support, and willingness to address the root cause of the addiction, change is possible. Increasing awareness and thinking about the problem is a step towards recovery.

Decide to make a change

For many people struggling with addiction, the biggest and toughest step toward recovery is the very first one: deciding to make a change. People experience normal feelings of conflicted feelings related to giving up their drug of choice. Committing to sobriety involves the following life changes:

developing new, supportive relationships

Implementing health lifestyle changes, including self-care techniques

Implementing stress management techniques

Improving self-esteem and self-worth

Recovering from addiction is a long process, requiring time, commitment, motivation, life changes, and support.

Explore your treatment options

Once the decision to challenge substance addiction is made, the next step is to explore treatment options. Treatment choices may include the following:

Treatment is not a "cookie cutter" model — No single treatment works for everyone. Everyone’s needs are different and treatment needs to be unique to the person and situation.

Treatment should address more than substance addition. Addiction impacts everything, including relationships, work/school, health, and psychological well-being. Long-term recovery includes implementing a new way of living and addressing the roots of the problem.

Treatment structure. The length of treatment needs to match the addiction — the longer and more intense drug use, the longer and more intense the treatment.

Help can be found in many places. The level of care you need depends on your age, drug use history, and other medical or psychiatric conditions. Help may be found with doctors, psychologists, clergy members, social workers, and counselors.

As you seek help for substance addiction, it’s also important to get treatment for any other medical or psychological issues you’re facing. The best chance for recovery is through integrated treatment for both the substance abuse problem and the mental health problem — known as co-occurring treatment.

What to look for in a substance abuse treatment program

Treatment programs vary in structure, amenities, and locations. When you start looking for substance abuse treatment, focus on what is truly important:

appropriate accreditation and licensing

aftercare services to prevent relapse

quality of care and effectiveness of the program

staff credentials

Alcohol Addiction Medications

There are medications that can assist with treating alcohol dependency. Not all people are interested in medication as a treatment, but it is important to know that there are additional options.

Three FDA approved medications that can assist with recovery:

Naltrexone: This medication blocks out the feeling of reward that comes from the brain when drinking and craving alcohol. Naltrexone has been known to lessen the impact of relapse in some patients.

Acamprosate: This medication can help in lessening the symptoms of withdrawal such as insomnia, anxiety and restlessness.

Disulfiram: This medication neutralizes the effect of alcohol as it is consumed. It can cause a reaction such as nausea or tremors if the person drinks alcohol while taking this drug.

Medication-Assisted Treatment/Opioid Therapy

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, combined with counseling and behavioral therapy, to treat substance abuse; Outpatient Based Opioid Therapy (OBOT) is a treatment model that mixes medication such as methadone or buprenorphine and medical and psychiatric care of the patient. Download the Medication Assisted Treatment/Opioid Therapy Fact Sheet[PDF - 61 KB] for more information.

Reach out for support

Don’t try to go it alone as there are many supports available. A solid, positive support system is essential to long-term recovery. Support can come from: